Senator Watson to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Wednesday, 19 September 2007, from 11.15 am to 1.15 pm, to take evidence for the committee’s review of Auditor-General’s reports.

Senator Humphries to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Community Affairs Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Thursday, 20 September 2007, from 3.30 pm, to take evidence for the committee’s inquiry into the cost of living pressures on older Australians.

Senator Allison to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes the recommendations of Dr Donald R Rothwell, Professor of International Law at the Australian National University, on the minimum requirements the Government should pursue in its negotiations with the Russian Federation (Russia) on a nuclear safeguards agreement, which include:

(i)

Australia requesting Russia to ratify the International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocol which it signed in March 2000,

(ii)

if Russia fails to ratify the Additional Protocol, Australia seeking to incorporate the essential terms and conditions of the Additional Protocol into the bilateral agreement, and

(iii)

Australia seeking to incorporate binding human rights and democracy clauses into any such agreement; and

(b)

urges the Government to:

(i)

consider also including a clause stipulating a time frame for disarmament in any bilateral agreement, and

(ii)

reconcile its wider responsibilities to non-proliferation, disarmament and human rights before any benefits to the Australian economy when negotiating the nuclear safeguards agreement with Russia.

Senator Allison to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that the Metropolitan Transport Forum, comprising of 19 Melbourne municipal councils and 17 associated organisations and members, at a forum at the Melbourne Town Hall on 30 August 2007, has called on the Government to contribute to funding public transport services throughout Australia to meet the needs of public transport users for the following reasons:

(i)

public transport contributes to the economic performance and liveability of cities and reduces car dependence and the costs of road congestion, estimated to be $10 billion nationally in 2005 and $20 billion by 2020,

(ii)

one suburban train can remove 5 kilometres of cars from congested roads,

(iii)

public transport enables Australia to respond to rising fuel prices and environmental sustainability,

(iv)

petrol will continue to increase beyond $US70 per barrel with increasing world demand for oil, and only one barrel of oil being discovered for nine barrels being produced,

(v)

public transport assists in access to jobs, education and services for people who cannot afford a car or who are unable to drive, including students, the poor, people with disabilities and the elderly, and helps to reduce socio-economic problems, social isolation and inequity,

(vi)

public transport helps reduce health costs by reducing the effect of accidents and pollution on the national health bill and hospitals,

(vii)

in-built walking to and from transport nodes contributes to regular physical activity, essential in reducing risks of cardio-vascular disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, depression, bowel and other cancers,

(viii)

by increasing demand—Melbourne’s public transport use increased by 20 per cent in the past 2 years, and

(ix)

in an independent Melbourne survey, more than 4 out of 5 respondents (83 per cent) said that the issue of public transport infrastructure would be of importance when deciding who they would vote for in the next federal election; and

(b)

urges the Government to reverse its policy of denying public transport any funding in its transport budget determinations.

Senator Siewert to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate calls on the Government to:

(a)

review all taxes, grants and concessions, including negative gearing, capital gains tax exemptions and first home owners grants, to assess their impact on the housing market; and

(b)

work with the states and territories to develop an evidence-based national affordable housing plan.

Senator Siewert to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes:

(i)

that the Coral Sea is one of the world’s most diverse and pristine tropical marine regions, covering approximately 800 000 square kilometres, more than twice the size of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and is extraordinarily rich in marine life,

(ii)

that the region is virtually unprotected and is facing immediate pressures from legal and illegal fishing, as well as long-term impacts from climate change, and

(iii)

the urgent need to ensure protection and management of this unique ecosystem; and

(b)

calls on the Government to begin the consultation process for the declaration of the entire Coral Sea region as a marine-protected area, which includes a comprehensive network of marine sanctuaries.

Senator Siewert to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that Tuesday, 18 September 2007 is National Close the Gap Day, a day on which Australians across the nation are coming together to show their support for closing the 17-year life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians; and

(b)

calls on all federal, state and territory governments to take action to achieve health equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders within 25 years by:

(i)

increasing annual Indigenous health funding by $450 million to enable equal access to health services,

(ii)

increasing Indigenous control and participation in the delivery of health services, and

(iii)

addressing critical social issues, such as housing, education and self-determination, which contribute to the Indigenous health crisis.

Senator Abetz to move on the next day of sitting:

That the government business orders of the day relating to the Social Security Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Bill 2007 and the Social Security Amendment (2007 Measures No. 2) Bill 2007 may be taken together for their remaining stages.

Senator Abetz to move on the next day of sitting:

That—

(1)

On Tuesday, 18 September 2007:

(a)

the hours of meeting shall be 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm to adjournment;

(b)

the routine of business from 7.30 pm shall be government business only; and

(c)

the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall be proposed at 10 pm.

(2)

On Thursday, 20 September 2007:

(a)

the hours of meeting shall be 9.30 am to 6.30 pm and 7.30 pm to adjournment;

(b)

consideration of general business and consideration of committee reports, government responses and Auditor-General’s reports under standing order 62(1) and (2) shall not be proceeded with;

(c)

the routine of business from 12.45 pm till not later than 2 pm, and from not later than 4.30 pm shall be government business only;

(d)

divisions may take place after 4.30 pm; and

(e)

the question for the adjournment of the Senate shall be proposed after the Senate has finally considered the bills listed below, including any messages from the House of Representatives:       Australian Crime Commission Amendment Bill 2007       Australian Technical Colleges (Flexibility in Achieving Australia’s Skills Needs) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2007       Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Terrorist Material) Bill 2007       Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Democratic Plebiscites) Bill 2007       Communications Legislation Amendment (Information Sharing and Datacasting) Bill 2007       Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment (Further 2007 Budget Measures) Bill 2007       Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment (Child Disability Assistance) Bill 2007       Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2007       Health Insurance Amendment (Medicare Dental Services) Bill 2007       Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2007       Higher Education Endowment Fund Bill 2007       Higher Education Endowment Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2007       Higher Education Support Amendment (Extending FEE-HELP for VET Diploma and VET Advanced Diploma Courses) Bill 2007       Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment (Cape York Measures) Bill 2007       Judges’ Pensions Amendment Bill 2007       Federal Magistrates Amendment (Disability and Death Benefits) Bill 2007       National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Bill 2007       Quarantine Amendment (Commission of Inquiry) Bill 2007       Social Security Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Bill 2007       Social Security Amendment (2007 Measures No. 2) Bill 2007       Social Security Legislation Amendment (2007 Budget Measures for Students) Bill 2007       Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2007       Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 4) Bill 2007       Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) Bill (No. 1) 2007       Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) Bill (No. 2) 2007       Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 5) Bill 2007       Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 6) Bill 2007       Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment Bill 2007       Trade Practices Amendment (Small Business Protection) Bill 2007       Trade Practices Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2007.

Senator Fielding to move on the next day of sitting:

That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to create a culture of responsible drinking, and to facilitate a reduction in the alcohol toll resulting from excessive alcohol consumption, and for related purposes. Alcohol Toll Reduction Bill 2007.